AFC West Meetings : Saunders Hopes to Make Chargers Like Their Rivals

The Chargers last season were about as far from the Super Bowl as it’s possible to get and still be in the National Football League.

Coach Al Saunders believes his team, which finished last in the AFC West with a 4-12 record, has the weakest personnel in the division.

Not surprisingly, he regards the Denver Broncos, who lost to the New York Giants in last season’s Super Bowl, as the team to beat in the division.

In their attempt to catch up, the Chargers will increasingly strive to resemble their rivals in terms of balanced offense, aggressive defense and efficient special teams.

At least, that’s the blueprint outlined by Saunders, who was among the division’s head coaches in town Wednesday to offer a preview of the 1987 season. Only the Raiders declined to participate in the two-day conference, being held for the ninth year.

The Charger blueprint begins with a shopping list for the April 28 draft that is very similar to the Broncos.

Both teams are looking for a strong, swift outside linebacker and running back

Of course, the Chargers’ needs are not limited to those areas. They also would like to find a pass rusher, a cornerback, a speedy receiver and maybe a young quarterback to groom as Dan Fouts’ eventual replacement.

Saunders, heading into his first full season since he replaced Don Coryell, says there are only two positions he’s comfortable with--tight end and safety.

Because the Chargers’ best pass rusher, defensive end Leslie O’Neal, may not play at all in 1987, the team will be looking to draft a down lineman as well as a linebacker. O’Neal is undergoing rehabilitation of his left knee, which he severely injured last November.

In rating linebackers, Saunders extolled the virtues of Alabama’s Cornelius Bennett, whom he called a magnificent athlete. However, it’s likely that Bennett will be gone before the Chargers announce their first-round selection, which will be the fifth pick.

Denver Coach Dan Reeves would like to find someone along the lines of the Giants’ Carl Banks, who he said caused his team more problems in the Super Bowl than Lawrence Taylor did.

If they don’t find a linebacker to their liking, the Chargers would be happy with a runner with speed and power. Auburn’s Brent Fullwood and Miami’s Alonzo Highsmith are highly regarded prospects.

The Broncos covet a back of the same description.

A big back who can block, run and catch the ball is something the Chargers have lacked since Chuck Muncie’s departure in 1984. Injuries have prevented Tim Spencer from becoming the dominant player they would like to have, Saunders said.

“A big, dominant every-down back can help your defense by shortening the game,” Saunders said, meaning that it’s possible to play ball control with such a back.

“In 1981, the Chargers may have had the finest offensive talent ever assembled,” Saunders said, referring to a cast that included Wes Chandler, Kellen Winslow, Charlie Joiner, Fouts and Muncie. “But now those players are either retired or aging.

“Our priority with Dan is to keep him healthy and not have to rely on him to throw the ball upfield on every down. We want to spread the field and take some of the pressure off him.”

Finding a successor to Fouts is not an immediate priority because Saunders is enamored of Mark Herrmann, the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

“He may be the best relief pitcher I’ve ever seen,” Saunders said. “He is a magnificent reserve quarterback who plays our style well. He may have a chance to eventually replace Dan as the starter.”